Visit Luther Burbank’s Experiment Farm
In the vibrant town of Sebastopol, California, the Luther Burbank Experiment Farm is a little-known Sonoma County treasure and hallowed ground for anyone interested in gardens. It was here that famed horticulturist Luther Burbank developed, from 1885 to 1926, many of the 800-plus varieties of fruit and nut trees, flowers, and vegetables for which he’s celebrated.
For visitors, the best part of the 3.5-acre Luther Burbank Experiment Farm is the chance to take a docent-led or self-guided tour of the grounds, which contains living specimens of Burbank’s work. Discover sites like a single, amazing apple tree that produces 25 different kinds of apples, which blossom and ripen at different times. Other Burbank-era plants include the Santa Rosa plum, the Freestone peach, the Shasta daisy, the Chinese quince, and a trifoliate orange tree from China that can withstand low temperatures.
Burbank lived in what is now the Luther Burbank Home & Gardens in downtown Santa Rosa, and he made the 17-mile round trip to his farm by bicycle. After his death, Burbank’s widow sold the property, stipulating that three acres remain as a memorial to her husband.
In 1974, local historians formed the Western Sonoma County Historical Society (WSCHS) to protect the acreage. They rebuilt an exact replica of a barn and restored a small cottage, which is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
“Most impressive are the chestnut trees. They’re huge,” said Erin Sheffield, a member of the WSCHS and chair of the Burbank Farm Committee. Blight wiped out millions of American chestnut, so Burbank imported Chinese chestnut trees to hybridize them and improve resistance.
There are also several kinds of walnut trees, including a Royal Walnut that Burbank planted in 1885. “In the past, it produced one ton of nuts every season,” Sheffield said.
Luther Burbank’s Experiment Farm, 7777 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol, CA 707-829-6711
- Enjoy self-guided tours with free admission daily from dawn to dusk. Docent tours are available by appointment for a small fee.
- The nursery is open most days with a variety of plants for purchase, including special Burbank varietals, fruit trees, perennials, and succulents. Check their website for popular plant sales.
- The Historic Burbank Cottage is open to visitors on select days.
To learn more about this area’s history, visit the West County Museum. For ideas about what else to see and do, read Fun Things to Do in Sebastopol, Sebastopol Farmers Markets and Farms, and Agri-Tourism and Farm Tours Offered Throughout Sonoma County.
Written by Sonoma Insider Suzie Rodriguez
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